Knead to Cook

Food & fitness obsessed girl.

Cookies and Cream Recovery Smoothie. Vegan.

by Filed Under: Beverages, Breakfast, Desserts, Gluten Free, No bake/cooking required!, Nuts, Smoothies, Snacks, Vegan, Vegetarian, Vitamix, Wheat Free 2 Comments

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I recently received Brendan Brazier’s second book – Thrive Energy Cookbook.  It’s insane!  I love every single recipe and have been voraciously been working through the book quite systematically.  This, thus far, ranks among the tops for me.  Totally vegan but totally delectable.  It is so indulgent!  I cannot stress this to you enough.  I love it on particularly rough workout days to help boost my protein to help muscles recover quickly – the premise of his books.  Good in, fast recovery, less injuries, better performance.  Even if you aren’t an elite athlete… this smoothie is nutrient dense and will have everyone clambering for it.  I promise!

Adapted from Thrive’s Cookies and Cream Recovery Smoothie.

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— Knead to Cook

Chocolate Mint Matcha Magic Smoothie.

by Filed Under: Beverages, Desserts, Evolution Power Yoga 40 Days, Gluten Free, No bake/cooking required!, Smoothies, Snacks, Vegan, Vegetarian, Vitamix 3 Comments

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I’m addicted to Thrive Cookbook!  Brendan Brazier is a genius, accomplished triathlete who has focused much of his life on plant-based nutrition and how it can help the body recover, regenerate and operate at an optimum capacity.  I’ve been enjoying so many of his awesome recipes and this one my daughter wanted to try for breakfast yesterday morning.  It was so good, gluten free, raw and protein packed.  Perfect for breakfast, post recovery from a workout or when you need a chocolate pick-me-up without any of the bad!

Recipe modified from the Thrive Cookbook.

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— Knead to Cook

Irish Chocolate Mint Smoothie and Rock Climbing Adventures.

by Filed Under: Beverages, Cabot Fit Team, Fitness., Gluten Free, Smoothies, Vegetarian, Vitamix, Wheat Free, Yogurt Leave a Comment

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We had such a fun Sunday… or Funday!  I’ve been so anxious to tryout a local rock climbing facility with the family.  Most of us are adventurous, my oldest daughter is the more sensible, cautious kid.  So I figured this was a good challenge for all of us… never having done anything to these heights before.  This place was amazing and we had the best time!  Life does start outside your comfort zone!  Once you let go of your fears, it’s amazing what you can achieve – mind over matter.  Even my oldest said how much fun it was letting go of her control.  I agree as I’m totally the type A personality…  control is everything or so I thought.

We came home to my version of a healthy Irish (in honor of St. Patty’s Day) mint chocolate smoothie. Protein to rebuild muscles used to scale “rocks” was a good thing!  Would be a fun breakfast idea on the go too!
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— Knead to Cook

Hemp Protein Green Smoothie. Running recovery.

by Filed Under: Beverages, Evolution Power Yoga 40 Days, Fitness., Gluten Free, My story., Smoothies, Vegan, Vegetarian, Vitamix, Wheat Free 1 Comment

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You know how this winter has been, right?  Forever. Unending.  Perpetually horrible.  Well finally we have been rejoicing and enjoying a brief respite from Mother Nature’s furor and soaking up the sunshine-filled days and warmer temperatures.  I don’t like running in the afternoon or evening, I like running on an empty stomach and because I eat all day long – I’m relegated to the darkness of the early morning 5am workout crew.  Last night I checked my weather app and it clearly had a 5 am temp of 40 degrees.  I opted to bag the gym and the treadmill, which I did over a 100 miles on last month, to finally get outside and work some hills and test my speed again.  I was worried.  My husband thought I was crazy but I didn’t know how my speed and cadence would be after running on the treadmill so long but I faced my fear and doing it.

I jumped out of bed, sans alarm, at 430 am.  I got up and dressed.  Ready for 40 degrees.  I normally don’t mind running in 20-30 degrees temps but since my hand surgery and developing Raynaud’s syndrome… I cannot take the cold/pain at that temp.  It’s going to be 40 – I can handle that!  So I run out the door and get started.  Seemed quite chilly but I kept moving.  I didn’t have the right gloves on (I normally layer to keep my hands from freezing) and I had a tank on under my coat and no hat.  Yep.  I was freezing… I wasn’t warming up… I kept going.  My plan was 10 but by 8 my fingers hurt so badly I knew I needed to be done.  I wasn’t paying attention to my speed but to taking each hill and dodging black ice (snow melt/refreeze) with stride.  I got home and could barely open my garage keypad with my fingers.  Got in and was flabbergasted at my time!  Best time ever – EVER!  Two years ago I was at a 930 minute mile and 32 lbs heaver.  What the world!!!  Craziness!  I’ll admit, I’m just elated.  Who knows if I can pull that off again but I was so happy with my effort.  And by the way – my husband ran separately and told me that the temp was 32.  No wonder I was freezing!

So how to refuel?  Well I’ve been limiting dairy over the past week or so because my stomach has been struggling with it in normal sized portions.  I wanted to incorporate a protein in my smoothie because I don’t eat meat.  So this is my latest and greatest creation.  Perfect for vegans. One side note, while eating any iron-rich food, always pair it up with a citrus fruit to help with the absorption of the iron in your body.  This helps if you suffer from anemia or are low in iron.

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— Knead to Cook

Tropical Green Monster Smoothie.

by Filed Under: Beverages, Cabot Fit Team, Fruit, Gluten Free, No bake/cooking required!, Smoothies, St. Patrick's Day, Vegan, Vegetarian, Vitamix, Wheat Free Leave a Comment

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As most of the U.S. is now covered with yet another polar vortex (I cannot tell you how much I despise that phrase), my kitchen is springing me forward with thoughts of warmer weather.  I’ve been inundating myself with tons of fresh fruit (even frozen) for my smoothies and they totally give my body a much needed Vitamin C boost and fool my tastebuds into thinking of spring and even summer.  Mangoes are priced so low at the grocery store, I can’t stop buying them and eating several per day.  The color, the flavor… undeniably good and great for you!

Channel your inner tropical and travel to a tasty tastebud vacation… so necessary after a super long winter!  I will give you a few options below in the recipe.  I made this tonight as an immune booster as two of the five members of my family are sick and prefer to stay on the healthy team.

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— Knead to Cook

Pineapple Cilantro Green Monster.

by Filed Under: Beverages, Breakfast, Evolution Power Yoga 40 Days, Gluten Free, No bake/cooking required!, Smoothies, Vegan, Vegetarian, Vitamix, Wheat Free Leave a Comment

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If you’ve been following my blog over the last 14 months or so, you have noticed a shift in my cooking and overall eating.  I’ve become very passionate about what I put into my body – avoiding refined sugar and processed foods.  My husband has recently stopped eating meat and fish and has become a smoothie master in my house.  He loves the Vitamix!  Creating fun and tasty smoothies is so easy and this recipe was a home run!  This smoothie was whipped up after my workout at the gym and was a welcome kick-start to my refueling.

Did you know that drinking your greens will actually help you radiate health from the inside out.   Please just look at that color?!  How can you not be illuminated by such a beautiful green smoothie!  Yeah, yeah… think I’m kidding.  I’m not!  Plus it will provide a boost of vitamins that your body craves to keep your engines humming along.  You don’t taste the spinach – I promise!  You can also omit the jalapeño if that isn’t your style.  I just like the heat.

Trying to be healthy – start with a smoothie.  It’s a fantastic way to incorporate more veggies into your diet.

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— Knead to Cook

Clean eating mixed berry smoothie.

by Filed Under: Breakfast, Brunch, Desserts, Evolution Power Yoga 40 Days, Fruit, Gluten Free, Smoothies, Vegetarian, Vitamix, Wheat Free, Yogurt 1 Comment

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I don’t know about you but anything reminiscent of spring or summer makes me quite smitten right now.  We have been in this non-stop pattern of snow and I’m starting to think that winter may never end.  Today we got hit with yet another snowstorm that I believe wasn’t predicted until yesterday.  9 inches later…. I sit here with smoothie in hand smiling that we are done snow blowing and shoveling – dreaming fondly of warmer days. Mother Nature, Punxsutawney Phil or someone better save us… soon!

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— Knead to Cook

Jalapeño Green Monster Smoothie.

by Filed Under: Beverages, Evolution Power Yoga 40 Days, Fruit, Gluten Free, No bake/cooking required!, Smoothies, Vegan, Vegetarian, Vitamix, Wheat Free Leave a Comment

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I’m the girl that gravitates towards anything spicy.  I had a drink a few years ago at The Standard hotel in the Meatpacking District in NYC that revolutionized my thinking of the jalapeño.  I’ll admit, they are my weakness.  If you aren’t a fan of heat – trust me, pass this recipe by and look at my other smoothie recipes because this one isn’t for you.  I whipped this up today (Saturday) post early morning yoga, farmer’s market trip on my “rest” day from training.  I was craving something spicy to kick up my metabolism and ignite a fire in me.  I’ll admit, this smoothie did just that!

Funny story~ I made this just as my husband and older daughter were coming home from the yoga class they took and my husband took a big gulp of it, not knowing my ring of fire plan, and almost died!  Ha.  So it comes with a warning.  You can obviously control the heat by the amount of jalapeño you put in and if you seed it or not.  I went BIG and whole – all seeds in tact.  Again… think of Johnny Cash’s Ring of Fire playing in the background {insert evil laugh here}.  I’m addicted.  I’m a big fan of BluePrint juices.  This reminds me of my favorite one.  Get ready to jump aboard – if you’re a spice fan… you’ll never look back – I know I’m not!

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— Knead to Cook

Peppermint Whipped Cream.

by Filed Under: Beverages, Brunch, Condiments, Dips, Gluten Free, Holiday Baking Ideas, No bake/cooking required!, Pies, Smoothies, Vegetarian, Wheat Free Leave a Comment

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This week I’m whipping up easy peppermint recipes that will make your holidays sparkle with little to no time or effort.  Who has extra time with so many other pressing holiday plans, parties and tasks at hand.  Homemade whipped cream is the easiest thing to make and I feel like so many people are intimidated by it.  No need.  So simple.  And adding a bit of peppermint to the base makes this whipped cream perfect for your lattes, fraps or hot chocolate.  It would also rock a chocolate pie or sundae.  Simple ingredients, takes only a few minutes and tastes so much better than the store-bought version.  A must try this holiday season.

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— Knead to Cook

Peppermint Simple Syrup.

by Filed Under: Beverages, Brownies, Candy, Desserts, Gluten Free, Holiday, Holiday Baking Ideas, Party Foods, Smoothies, Vegan, Vegetarian 3 Comments

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Are you ready for peppermint week?  I hope so!  There is nothing that embodies the flavor of this season to me other than peppermint.  I love it.  I always have.  Peppermint patties, candy canes… you name it!  I’m all over it.  We keep a stash in our pantry for our peppermint hot chocolate recipe and it has endless uses.  It always calls my name when I see them adorning desserts or cocktails.  I have a weakness.  This recipe is so versatile.  It can be used in coffee, tea, hot chocolate, whipped cream or cocktails.  Once cooled, refrigerate and it will last for weeks.  I will be sharing recipes all week that use this simple syrup if you’re looking for inspirations.  Stay tuned.

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— Knead to Cook